Max leaves it at Q1 during Russian GP qualifying: 'It is what it is'

Published on 29 September 2018 by Raymond Snip

Max Verstappen has left the qualifying for the Russian Grand Prix after the first part for what it is. The Dutchman showed good pace at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing with a third place during Q1, but did not return after that. Verstappen starts at the end of the grid this weekend due to exceeding the maximum number of engines allowed.

"It is a pity, of course, because it takes away the excitement of qualifying. Unfortunately, it is what it is", Verstappen says after the first qualifying session. Max nevertheless put down a time and came out again at the end of the session for another lap. With this he ended up in front of his teammate Daniel Ricciardo: "It is ultimately a qualifying between teammates, so you want to win. During my first lap I wasn’t focused enough, because I'm not used to going full throttle in Q1. When I noticed that, I wanted to drive an extra lap."

During free practice three this morning, Verstappen clearly had difficulties with the car. The Dutchman explains what happened: "The car had a lot of oversteer, which is why I often went off-track. I simply could not keep it on the circuit."

Nevertheless, Max is positive about the pace of his RB14: "Between the last free practice and qualifying, we worked really well on the set-up. We have shown that we have made some good steps again. The car felt good and I am happy with that. We stayed within the lines and were in third place at the end of Q1. That was not bad."

Is it frustrating that the team chose to sacrifice this race, while it appears that you have pretty good pace? "I think that when they turn up their engines in Q3 we will always be behind Ferrari and Mercedes. It is therefore not so painful to take it here."

Finally, Max is asked how great the challenge is to work his way up tomorrow? "It should be. If we make sure we get good exit out of the last few corners and keep our tires alive, I’m sure we can get back to fifth and sixth place." Max does not reveal a possible strategy: "We will see it tomorrow", according to the Dutchman.

The first part of qualifying starts under a slightly cloudy sky. It is the Haas and Williams drivers who are the first to go on track. Kevin Magnussen is the first to set a lap time.

Halfway through Q1, Valtteri Bottas, Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel, Kevin Magnussen, Esteban Ocon and Charles Leclerc form the top six. The two Red Bulls are the only ones who have not been outside yet. With a little over six minutes left on the clock they finally appear on the Russian asphalt.

Verstappen, in his first run, sets a 1:33.314 and ends up on P4, behind both Mercedes and teammate Daniel Ricciardo. In the end, the Dutchman still improves, so he finishes the session with a 1:33.048 in third place. Brendon Hartley, Fernando Alonso, Sergey Sirotkin, Stoffel Vandoorne and Lance Stroll are dismissed.

Q2 starts without both Red Bull Racing drivers. A tactical decision due to the grid penalties that have been incurred means that Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo will not come back out . Again, it is Mercedes who takes the lead. The Ferraris finish Q2 in spots three and four. Charles Leclerc shows with P5 that Sauber’s pace is good this weekend. Both Red Bulls, Pierre Gasly and the Renaults are the dropouts after Q2.

The third and final qualifying part starts with Mercedes, Ferrari, Haas, Sauber and Force India. After the first runs, it is Mercedes that lead the times chart. Ferrari follows with more than six tenths of a second. Esteban Ocon and Charles Leclerc at that moment are surprisingly taking the third row.

The top four remains unchanged after the final runs. Bottas takes pole position after a time improvement and keeps his teammate behind him with just over a tenth. Ferrari claims the second row with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. Kevin Magnussen, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez complete the top eight.

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Results qualifying Russia: